I was at the field today between 14:00 & 15:00 all on my own , good flying too. There is a dead sheep along the fence line towards the gate from the pits, I saw the farmer so reported this to her. I hope no one had plans for a BBQ .

As most of you probably know, my big yellow glider was tested to beyond it's structural limits last year up on the Orme, and ended up looking rather sorry for itself. Repair was never really on the cards, so the hgunt for its replacement has been an interesting experience. I settled for a Viking 2e in the end, mainly because I'm a big fan of models whose name ends in "2e".

Rather than a lightweight glass/herex/glass with a carbon spar, I've gone for something that should hold up to the sly comment on the slope from people like Jem, "so how fast will it go then?". This one has a UHM (that's Ultra high modulus, or techno-babble for "effing strong") carbon spar and joiner, double carbon layup in the wing and a carbon V tail, all held together with an extra strong fuselage that has lashings of carbon in it. Oh, and did I mention I asked for extra carbon-y bits to be added too?

The colours scheme is nice and simple, white and black, except the black is actually clear, and the carbon shows through. After paying for the vast quantities of carbon, it seemed a shame to hide it all with a boring paintjob!

It's on its way from the Czech Republic as I type anyway. I'm looking forward to flying it, and building, although FSM* knows how long it will take me to build it with the little 'un taking up so much time....

After a rather odd day at work, an even more bizzare advanced driving lesson, I got home to find a seemingly rather random bloke pull up behind me in a battered old van. Not just any van, but a van whose signwriting seemed to suggest that this was a supply van that supplied fruit. And veg. And Fresh Fish too. Oh and Cakes. And apparently buffets are catered for too. I was to call to discuss my requirements. Either that or I was too cool to discuss my requirements (there was a bit of a rusty patch over the first bit, so I wasn't quite sure).

Anyway, the chap jumped out, went round to the back, and pulled out a rather chunky looking cardboard box. Which was surprising as I was expecting some fruit. Or veg. Or possibly fish. Maybe even cakes if I was lucky. Slowly the penny dropped, my brain clicked into gear, and the Czech writing on the address label/customs form could only mean one thing! Yep, it's here!

I've just finished mopping up the drool anyway, Mostly my 5 month old Daughters, but some mine. Mmmmm Carbonny goodness! I'll tell you what, I've never seen such a nice bit of moulding before! I thought my Jibe2 was good, but this is just unreal! I've now got 3 metres of white and carbon weave wings sat on the floor in the living room, and I'm starting to make wooshing noises.... Methinks I should stop now though, measure up the servo holes in the wing/fuz, and see how much lipo I can cram in the front

Now I just need to find the sodding digital camera, its great this decluttering to sell your house, you can't find anything because it has all moved.....

It should be plenty strong enough for anything I can throw at, it was designed to handle upwards of 4kW! Span is a shade over 3 metres, and it should be nicely quick, although not excessively quick like that green thing of mine.... It was originally designed for F3f racing, and F3b comp apparently, but they decided an electric fuselage would be a good idea. I agreed....

Excuse me whilst I fall of my chair in disbelief, could that be? I had to double check then, but I'm sure Mr Barnes just pulled me up on a spelling mistake?!!

I've seen those HK servos branded as vigor here in the uk, and if they are the same, they aren't too shabby for the price. They aren't all shiney shiney like the mks ones though. That said, a tin of silver paint would cost a lot less than the mks servos....